Comparison between Uses of Therapeutic Exercise and Heat Application on Relieve Pain, Stiffness and Improvement of Physical Function for Patient with Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common chronic disease and a major worldwide problem for medical, psychosocial, and economic reasons. Osteoarthritis leads to considerable morbidity in terms of pain, functional disability, lowered quality of life, and psychological problems and affected people are mainly cared for in the community. The aim of this study was to compare between uses of therapeutic exercise and heat application on relieve pain, stiffness and improvement of physical function for patient with knee osteoarthritis. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the out patient clinic of orthopedic at Mansoura University main hospital. The data were collected from a convenience sample of 90 osteoarthritis patients of both sex and equally divided into 3 groups (G1) received training to used heat application with pharmacological treatment to decrease symptoms of osteoarthritis, (G2) received training of physical exercise with pharmacological treatment to decrease symptoms of osteoarthritis, (G3) received a combination training from physical exercise and heat application with pharmacological treatment prescribed by physician. The main inclusion criteria was diagnosis osteoarthritis of the knee based on attendant to out patient clinic at least twice / week. Results: knee stiffness improves from {mean= (G1, G2 & G3) 9.17, 22.08& 1.25 respectively to 66.25, 47.92& 85 respectively} after implementing education intervention. There were statistical significant difference between the three groups of studied sample pre - post teaching phase regarding experiencing total knee stiffness score (P <= 0,001, 0,001& 0,001 respectively). Conclusion: the use of a combination of therapeutic exercise and heat application together for relieving pain, stiffness and improving physical function for patient with osteoarthritis was successful [Wafaa I. Shereif and Amira A. Hassanin, Comparison between Uses of Therapeutic Exercise and Heat Application on Relieve Pain, Stiffness and Improvement of Physical Function for Patient with Knee Osteoarthritis] Life Science Journal,. 2011; 8(3): 388-396] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.